How to find a Ladies blazer that fits? Style expert have a few tips
It’s the ultimate fashion for professional women, but the blazer is notoriously tricky to fit.
Like many women, I adore wearing Ladies blazers and jackets, especially in the workplace. They’re sure to add structure and polish to any outfit.
The problem is, they can be tricky little beasts.
Very few women — no matter what their shape or size — can waltz into Ann Taylor and grab off-the-rack blazers that fit perfectly in every way. Want to get that sharp, professional look? You’ll need to haul your jackets to the tailor.
It still helps to buy blazers that fit as nicely as possible, if for no other reason than curbing those alteration fees. Here’s what to look for:
1. Shoulders first
Shoulder alterations are complex and costly. Find a style that fits your shoulders and you’re already ahead of the game.
However, most women will encounter shoulder-fit quirks. Remember, the shoulder seam of the blazer should hit right where your own shoulder ends. If it falls closer to your neck, it’s too small. If it juts past the spot where your shoulder starts to slope downward, it’s simply too big.
What to look for in the fitting room? Give yourself a gentle hug while wearing the blazer. If it pulls a little, that’s fine. If it pulls a lot, it might not be your best bet.
2. Sleeves next
Sleeve alterations are pretty simple, though they can be expensive if the blazer is lined.
What to look for? First, consider the style. Blazers with three-quarter sleeves offer a delicious amount of leeway, whereas the ideal fit for full-length sleeves is very specific. A full-length blazer sleeve should always hit just above the top joint of your thumb when standing with arms at your sides. Your wrist itself should be covered. Simple as that.
3. Then bust
Every woman has a unique set of challenges here. In my case, there is often excess material that causes extremely amusing sagging. Like someone has tacked wet Ziploc baggies to my chest. Women with larger breasts may experience pulling. If the blazer doesn’t fit your bust then, chances are, you’ll be quick to notice.
A blazer that fits properly in the bust will cover about half of each breast and skim the covered area without bunching or wrinkling. Ideally, the blazer should fit beautifully both buttoned and unbuttoned. However, a blazer that fits great buttoned but looks wonky unbuttoned won’t be as versatile as the opposite.
My opinion? A blazer that fits properly in the shoulders, bust and torso but cannot be buttoned all the way without some pulling is passable — unless you’re a lawyer or daily suit-wearer and need exquisite fit both buttoned and unbuttoned.
4. Don’t forget torso
Generally speaking, the blazer should follow the natural curves of your body without pulling or sagging. If you’ve got wrinkles at the sides or across the back, the blazer is probably too small in the torso. Or are there gobs of extra fabric around your midsection? Then the blazer is too big in the torso.
Pants blazer vs. skirt blazer
Consider the fit rules for tops: If you’re wearing a skirt with your top, then the top should be relatively short — between two- and three-fingers’ width below your navel. Your top should be longer when worn with pants — between two- and three-fingers’ width above your crotchpoint.
The same goes for blazers: Longer lengths visually balance the line of slacks, while shorter cuts look perfect with skirts and dresses. This is not a hard and fast rule, of course, just a helpful guideline. A lot will depend on your figure and your preferences, but I’ve found that most women look their best when following this advice.
Buttons and ‘stance’
“Stance” describes the highest point where the blazer buttons. Blazers with higher stances tend to have more buttons — at least two or three. Lower stances are frequently one-button designs.
To be blunt, a high stance can look a little dated and matronly. It’s a style that was all the rage several decades ago but slowly has faded from the fashion mainstream. Lower stances with fewer buttons tend to appear more sophisticated and modern.
Bust size, however, can complicate the matter. Busty women may find that low-stance, single-button blazers open awkwardly at the chest. Meanwhile, other busty women find high-stance blazers intolerable due to where the bustline falls. So the choice is extremely personal. But if you have blazers in your closet that aren’t getting worn — and you can’t figure out why — it might be due to their stance.
Length and shape
Beware: Length and shape are the other factors that can make decades-old blazers appear dated or frumpy.
The current trend of “boyfriend”-inspired fashions means long, loose blazers are ubiquitous. But today’s long-and-boxy looks are slightly different from the long, boxy figures from the ’80s. A modern boyfriend or long-line blazer will typically have a hint of waist shaping and a natural shoulder line. Vintage blazers, meanwhile, often have giant shoulder pads, double-breasted closures and exaggerated waist-shaping or none at all.
Again, it all depends on your taste. If you love the look of an oversized, loose blazer, then by all means you should embrace that look. But if you feel your beloved butt-covering blazer is outdated, try opting for shorter, more fitting styles in the future.
Finishing touches
Lapel width, button or closure type, pocket placement and design — they all affect how a blazer works with your shape.
With lapels, consider scale: Petite women often favor smaller lapels or lapel-free designs that work on their smaller frames.
Flap pockets can jut out awkwardly if placed wrong, but can define and complement curves if placed correctly.
And button or other types of closures (not to mention their placement) will impact the overall look and fit of any blazer.
Complicated? Definitely. Worth mastering? For sure. You can roll the sleeves on a blouse with overly long arms and you can belt a dress that’s a smidgen too loose at the waist. But no amount of fashion tape can save an ill-fitting blazer. So focus on buying a style that suits your hardest-to-fit area, enlist a tailor to help with the rest, and you’ll look chic, sleek and polished in no time.
Showing 25–48 of 144 results
-
Sale!
CRAZY GRID Women Business Casual Blazer Work Professional Office Blazer Jacket Ladies Buttons Long Sleeve Fashion Suit Jacket L Haze Pink
Original price was: $50.99.$45.89Current price is: $45.89. Learn More -
Sale!
CRAZY GRID Women Business Causal Blazer Ladies Work Suit Jacket Long Sleeve Lapel Lightweight Professional Suit Blazer Jacket Plus Size XL Black
Original price was: $49.99.$35.99Current price is: $35.99. Learn More -
Sale!
CRAZY GRID Women Casual Business Blazer Professional Work Blazer Jacket Ladies Stretch Long Sleeve Fashion Suit Jacket Plus Size XL Dark Green
Original price was: $49.99.$39.99Current price is: $39.99. Learn More -
Sale!
CRAZY GRID Womens Casual Blazer Jacket Long Sleeve Business Suit Jacket Fashion Dressy Work Office Jacket Open Front Button Ladies Blazer Rose Madder Red Size Small
Original price was: $52.99.$42.39Current price is: $42.39. Learn More -
Sale!
CRAZY GRID Womens Casual Blazer Long Sleeve Business Suit Jacket Open Front Button Work Office Blazer Jacket Fashion Dressy Ladies Blazer Blackish Green Medium
Original price was: $44.99.$35.99Current price is: $35.99. Learn More -
Sale!
CRAZY GRID Womens Casual Blazer Long Sleeve Business Suit Jacket Open Front Button Work Office Blazer Jacket Fashion Dressy Plus Size Ladies Blazer Green Size 3X-Large
Original price was: $52.99.$42.39Current price is: $42.39. Learn More -
Sale!
CRAZY GRID Womens Casual Blazer Open Front Button Business Suit Jacket Long Sleeve Work Office Blazer Jacket Fashion Dressy Ladies Blazer Green Size XX-Large
Original price was: $52.99.$42.39Current price is: $42.39. Learn More -
Sale!
CRAZY GRID Womens Double Breasted Blazer Jackets Open Front Business Casual Suit Jacket Lapel Gold Button Long Sleeve Dressy Blazer Ladies Work Office Blazer Plus Size Black XX-Large
Original price was: $51.99.$39.99Current price is: $39.99. Learn More -
Cropped Blazer for Women Navy Blue Blazer for Women Ladies Cardigan Work Office Suite 12-14
$29.95 Learn More -
Cropped Blazer Jacket for Women 2023 Fall Black Crop Short Petite Fitted Knit Fashion Ladies Slim Blazers Cardigan Dress for Women Work Office Blazer Clothes Professional Business Jackets Black 0L
$49.99 Learn More -
DASEIS Date Night Winter Blazer Ladies Long Sleeve Oversize Modern Slim Lapel Blazer Paisley With Pockets Softest Blazer Teen
$18.53 Learn More -
Dazosue Women Open Front Blazers Long Sleeve Casual OL Office Slim Suit Jacket with Pockets Black S
$52.99 Learn More -
DIACACY Ladies Long Sleeve Button Blazer Cropped Formal Open Front Blazer Suits Cardigan Orange L
$26.99 Learn More -
Sale!
Dokotoo Ladies Fall Blazer Jackets for Women Business Casual for Work Button Open Front Fashion Lapel Solid Office Jacket with Pockets Black X-Large
Original price was: $61.99.$49.99Current price is: $49.99. Learn More -
Dokotoo Womens Satin Blazers for Work Profession Wrap Tie Waist Blazer Office Blazers Casual Jacket Stretchy Lady Suit Apricot 2XL
$44.89 Learn More -
ebossy Women’s Notch Lapel 2 Button Boyfriend Blazer Suit Houndstooth Plaid Jacket Coat (Large, Z-Khaki)
$42.98 Learn More -
ELESOL Women Striped Blazer Sleeveless Casual Open Front Cardigan Plaid Work Office Jacket
$12.99 Learn More -
FLITAY Ladies Casual Long Sleeve Oversized Blazer Solid Color Petite Coat Blazer White 2XL
$25.99 Learn More -
FLITAY Ladies Long Sleeve Casual Lightweight Blazers Blazer Coat Casual Solid Color Spring Jackets Blazer Purple XL
$35.99 Learn More -
FLITAY Ladies Simple Pocket Suit Jacket Work Plus Size Business Blazer Casual Loose Blazer Jacket Black 2XL
$25.99 Learn More -
Generic Andongnywell Womens Long Sleeve Slim Suit Jacket Clearance Open Blazer Fit Work Office Cardigan Coat Overcoats (Red 1,Large)
$4.01 Learn More -
GRAPENT Women’s Business Casual Buttons Pockets Open Front Blazer Suit Cardigan Black Size Large (US 12-14)
$46.99 Learn More -
Gray Tweed Blazer Women Jacket Ladies Grey Blazers 2023 Clothes Fall Winter Long Blazer Business Casual Black and White Double Breasted Work Office Professional Jackets Grey 0L-A
$52.99 Learn More -
GRECERELLE Womens Blazer Lapel Button Business Casual Outfits for Women Long Sleeve Work Office Jackets Black-12
$41.99 Learn More